Catullus 107

Question 1

what is noticeable about this poem?

Answer 1

lots of verbal repetition- expresses excitement!

Question 2

si quicquam cupido optantique optigit umquam

if anything ever fell to the lot of one who desired and prayed for it

Answer 2

two elisions in this line- excitement
assonance of o
cupido optantique- strong desire and wish- different meanings, but still hendiadys

Question 3

umquam
insperanti
ever had been hoping

Answer 3

insperanti is emphasised by being put at the start of a line that enjambs

Question 4

hoc est gratum… hoc est gratum

this is pleasing x2

Answer 4

repetition

Question 5

Restitutuis cupido atque insperanti, ipsa refers te
nobis
you give yourself back to the desiring one who dares not hope, you come back yourself
to us

Answer 5

ipsa refers te- bumpy metre- excitement
2 elisions- excitement
te and nobis are next to each other but on two lines. Placed next to each other = closeness. On different lines= previous separation

Question 6

o lucem candidiore nota!

o day with a whiter mark!

Answer 6

horace, odes:

Cretans used to drop a white stone into their quiver to mark a happy day, and a black one for a sad day

Question 7

Quis me uno vivit felicior aut magis hac est

optandus vita dicere quis poterit?

Answer 7

Couplet framed by ‘quis’
magis hac est - bumpy metre- excitement. Emphasis on last syllable.
Optandus- closural repetition